Place value - Counting in 2s - Presentation

The concept of counting in pairs is a fundamental aspect of place value and is introduced to students through a series of engaging activities. In the first activity, children are presented with an image of pairs of socks and are asked to count them in twos to find the total number. This practical application helps to visualise the concept of counting in increments of two. Subsequent activities involve counting pairs of gloves, with the aim to reinforce the method of counting by twos and to understand the underlying pattern that emerges when pairs are counted.

Further exploring the pattern of counting in twos, students are encouraged to continue this counting method on a grid of numbers up to 50. They are asked to describe the pattern they observe and to think about the reason behind it, promoting deeper understanding of numerical sequences. Additionally, completing number lines by counting in twos offers another perspective on the pattern, as students fill in missing numbers and recognise the even distribution of the digits 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8. Reasoning exercises challenge students to count backwards in twos and determine whether certain numbers will be said in the sequence, such as the number 41, which is not a multiple of two and therefore would not be mentioned. These activities not only solidify the students' ability to count in twos but also develop their reasoning skills and ability to identify and explain patterns in numbers.